UGA Exchange, Yokohama National University

Situated in Japan’s second largest city, Yokohama National University (YNU) is one of the foremost institutions of higher education in Japan. While its history can be traced back to 1874 with the founding of the Kanagawa Normal School, it took on its present name in 1949 when four different colleges merged to form the university. The university is located on a verdant hilltop campus overlooking downtown Yokohama. The Yokohama and Tokyo metropolitan areas are easily accessible by public transportation. Ever since Yokohama became a port in 1859, the city has been one of Japan’s most gateways to the world.

Program Location

Yokohama is the gateway joining Japan with the world. Ever since Commodore Matthew Perry forced open Japan’s closed borders with the Treaty of Kanagawa signed here in 1854, Yokohama, as a port since 1859 and a city since 1889, has been the primary site where Western culture has made its first steps into Japan and where things Japanese have set out for the four corners of the world. Now Japan’s second largest city, Yokohama is a vibrant, varied, and international community, combining the old Western mansions of Yamate with the neon glitter of Chinatown, the traditional architecture of Sankeien with the modern complex of Minato Mirai 21. Tokyo, the ancient capital of Kamakura, and the hot springs of Hakone, Yokohama is a splendid site for learning about Japan and its relation to the world.

Yokohama’s climate is mild and enjoys clearly marked seasons. Summer tends to be hot and humid, with some days exceeding 30°C (86°F), although temperatures are cooler during the June-July rainy= season. The temperature in Yokohama during winter ranges in highs from 5°C to 10°C (41° to 50°F) with only the occasional snowfall. Fall and spring are the best seasons in Yokohama, with seasonable weather (around 15 to 20°C 59°F to 68°F), little rainfall, and beautiful spring and fall foliage.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be nominated for this exchange by the Department of Comparative Literature each year in January

All UGA students seeking to participate in a UGA Exchange Program in Japan must be nominated for study at a specific partner university by the Department of Comparative Literature.

2016-2017 Nomination deadline: Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

Students wishing to be nominated for a Full-year (or possibly Spring) program in the following year are expected to be currently enrolled in JPNS at UGA, submit an essay noting goals for participation, specific universities of preference, unofficial transcript, and JPNS professor recommendation etc. directly to Dr. Mori in CMLT. Additional documents might also be requested.

Application items submitted via the GoAbroad portal application will not be used for the nomination application.

This application is to be completed by nominated students.

Nomination results will be announced by CMLT in mid-January and nominated students will receive additional information about next steps at that time.

Disclaimer

UGA education abroad programs strive to provide reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Areas of disability include, but are not limited to visual, hearing, learning, psychological, medical, and mobility impairments. If you receive disability-related accommodations at UGA or at your home university, or if you anticipate needing accommodations at your overseas site, you will arrange for them with your study abroad program director and the staff in the Disability Resource Center. Examples of accommodations include note taking assistance, extended test time, a quiet testing location, alternative text/media, and accessible housing. Please provide information about your accommodation needs at least 4 weeks prior to departure in order to allow time to arrange for accommodations. Students are asked to disclose disability-related needs prior to the start of the program to help ensure that there are no delays in accommodations and that the student can enjoy the full study abroad experience.